Gondola, Gondola... To Venice - Tagged

[Gabriela Dawson]

It was everything she had imagined it to be and more. Her face had never stopped smiling since the wedding and all she could do was to try and contain her excitement. Firstly they were married, actually married to each other which had been a long time coming and a road not easily travelled. Secondly neither one of them was injured or in the hospital and thirdly they were in Venice. The city of water and Gondolas which she wanted to see the minute she had set foot off the plane. They had been in the city a few hours and checked in at their hotel.

She had managed to convince Matt a tour of the nearby streets and canals would be a good thing. It was why she was stood in the middle of a street market, gawping at the buildings and the water and the structures that seemed entirely impossible. It was as she walked that her hand caught her attention, she stopped dead just at the edge of a stall selling the Venice Carnival mask as she stared down at her left hand. It felt like the best dream ever, the kind of dream where she would open her eyes and come back to reality and yet this was exactly it. Reality at it’s best as she looked at the engagement and wedding ring on her finger.

Gabby had to restrain herself from simply running around and screaming every now and again, dragging the nearest person to see her finger that symbolised everything she could have possibly dreamed of and so much more. It was while studying her hand that she saw those two masks, without hesitation she bought both before placing the ornate feathered one on her face as many of the other tourists were doing. She knew it was an easy give away to say they were hardly the local crowd but she was far from bothered about it as she turned around to see where Matt was.

In her other hand she had a mask for him too, slightly more manly than hers with the feathers but still it was far too excited to think much beyond it looked great. Her eyes searched through the crowd for him deciding it would be easier if she took off the feather mask but then where was the fun in that. She could either scare him to death with it or have some fun with it, either way it was staying on her face for the foreseeable future and his would too unless he had run off after realising what married meant, then she knew she would find a good use for the fire axe she knew how to use.

Tag: @matt

Gabby Mask
Matt Mask

[Deleted]

we've lost it all my heart is beating im gonna pass the test Gabriela Dawson Matt had talked his sister into keeping Louie so the Casey's could enjoy Venice. An impromtu wedding at the courthouse with firehouse 51 there. That was all it took. Screw the bells and dresses when their work clothes worked. A turnout coat was better than a tux anyday of the week in his opinion. The two had been through hell and back over the years, there was no way that was going to change. He was happy to have Gabby by his side. Pulling his arm around her shoulder he could see that she was enamored with her left hand. One of the many things he loved about her, she didn't mind playing rough but when she dressed to stun... there was no breathing. He could tell something was on her mind. What was she doing? He could only chuckle to himself when he saw the feathered masks. That was his Gabby, always up to something. He wouldn't trade it for anything. Matt moved his hands to around her waist. "What are you up to now babe?" he vocalized quietly as he placed a kiss to the side of her cheek. He could see what she was up to, but he just felt like saying it. Leave it to his wife to want to be like every other tourist in Venice. Though he didn't want to ruin it for her. He just shook his head at her as he tugged on her waist. "Come on Mrs. Casey, you are going to miss all the fun standing around here." There was a bit of truth in that, but he also knew she wouldn't be in here if she wasn't enjoying it. Notes , other cool stuff

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Gabriela Dawson]

The wedding had been everything she could have hoped for and so much more. Turn out coats and work clothes, it hardly mattered what they were wearing all that mattered to her was that he was there. The man of her dreams and the friends and family she had. Then Matt in a tux or a turnout coat, she was never sure what was better as they were both up there in her head. They had been through so much and now, now life seemed to be that little bit more settled than it had appeared to be weeks before.

Gabby smiled feeling his arm around her shoulder. She was in her own little world for a moment until his voice reminded her of where she was. With his hands around her waist she simply smirked, “It’s Mrs. Casey to you, I’m not up to anything.” She said teasingly liking the sound of that name more and more as he kissed her cheek. Usually yes she was always up to something and even this time yes she was up to something but he knew what it was as she grinned. “Oh well then if you insist, just don’t forget your mask Zorro.” She said as she held it out for him.

“Mr. Casey what are you standing around for? Let’s go.” She said grinning as she prodded him lightly in his side. She felt like she could run around for hours and not get tired in the slightest because she could never have been any happier. She had a family, the family she had wanted and married too it was simply worth every fight, argument, late night and ounce of worry that had been and gone over their time. Quiet honestly it could not have been better as she pushed herself onto her tiptoes to kiss his cheek briefly.

Tag: @matt

[Deleted]

we've lost it all my heart is beating im gonna pass the test Gabriela Dawson Sometimes peace was all Matt could ask for and right now that peace was right in his arms. As long as Gabby was happy, then all was right with the world. He was fast learning that part of being a man was doing anything and everything to make your girl happy. Matt tried, he wasn't perfect but he always tried. He was human after all and have more than once done the wrong thing. Oh she was up to something. He just gave her a look but took the mask putting it on his head. Well now he could make faces at her all he wanted to and she would never see it. At least when once he fastened it over his face anyway. But he wanted one last kiss to his neck before he 'got into the spirit'. He was totally not going to steal all of Gabby's fun. Feeling a happy wife kissing his cheek was DEFINITELY worth everything they had been through to get right here. He wrapped his arm around her and looked down at her softly. This is exactly what he tried for, a girl who was on top of the world. If she was always this happy, then everything was worth it. Notes , other cool stuff

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Gabriela Dawson]

In his arms it felt like home no matter where they were, he had that effect on her that he could calm her down and make her feel like everything was going to be fine. Despite the fact Gabby held Matt as prince charming in her head, perfect was far from all the time however he tried and that was all she could ask. She knew herself that she was hardly the easiest person in the world and she did the wrong thing more often that she cared to admit. They were human and had their ups and downs but it was the times when she was in his arms without a care in the world that made the tougher times easier.

Gabby found herself laughing when he put the mask on his head, she wished Louie could see him though she would make sure to get pictures as she grinned. Looking up at him Gabby had no idea why things never happened sooner, any fights and moving out had seemed so long ago to where they were standing now. Even their not so much fight but talk about her adopting Louie in the beginning was so far away she could barely remember it and yet now everything seemed to perfect. Perfect that she had no idea what might be next for them but together she felt like they could take on the world.

She stood on her tiptoes leaning on him a little as she kissed his neck for a moment. “Matt...” She mumbled against him, “What did you have planned for the day?” She asked innocently enough as she smiled sweetly up at him. He had said she was going to miss all the fun as she tried to figure out what they were going to do. With that in mind she changed her tone to a slight more serious one as she spoke.

“And Matt, thank you for being the most amazing husband and friend I could have wished for.” Gabby was serious about that, she could laugh and joke about timing and everything that had happened but he had been there for her throughout it all. Not one step taken without him being there and she was grateful for that, more so than she could say.

Gabby looked up at him again and for a moment she thought she felt sick. Not just that passing feeling but full blown ill, was that what marriage did to people she thought taking a step away from him. The nauseated feeling seemed to settle with her as she could have been stood on the roughest boat rather than the solid ground beneath her feet. “I just need a minute.” She said as she felt her mask she held drop from her hand as she ran to the nearest point she could find that was out of view.

She managed to make it to the side of the water having no idea where the nearest toilet was she collapsed to the floor. With her head hanging over to the water she managed to feel most of what she had eaten that day make a reappearance. Her honeymoon was not a time to be sick she told herself cursing plane food as she was convinced that was what it had to be. Gabby simply sat there trying to take a breath as she felt the nausea get worse. It had to be that plane food, probably out in the heat too long and she just had to eat it.

[Deleted]

we've lost it all my heart is beating im gonna pass the test Gabriela Dawson Matt was about to say something when Gabby ran off. It wasn't that he wasn't enjoying kissing on her, or that what he said was going to be a moot point, but she looked pale. He picked the mask up off the ground on his way to following her. Putting a hand on her back after she went down he felt his other hand to her forehead. Clammy and sweaty too. Matt was concerned. "Babe" he whispered quietly. He didn't like how pale her complexion was. "I'm taking you to the hospital or I am calling an ambulance." There wasn't a choice as he realized he wasn't sure how well that would go over. Trying to call the Emergency number. No he didnt even know the emergency for Italy. He should have. He was berating himself on the inside. Scooping her up in his arms he took her mask and put it on the top of her head he did the same with his. He didn't want to lose them. He would put them back in the bag later. Kissing her forehead once he had her in the taxi he gave them directions to take them to the nearest hospital. Though his attention was on Gabby. "Babe your face is pale as a ghost" she was the paramedic, he really didnt know what to do beyond the fact he knew she needed fluids. He handed her a bottle of water. He'd opened it and put the cap back on making it much easier to get off but it was a fresh bottle. Notes , other cool stuff

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Gabriela Dawson]

Gabby did her best to keep the look of embarrassment from her face as she felt his hand on her back. His hand felt warm to her as he felt her fore head, trust her to be in one of the most beautiful cities in the world on her honeymoon and now she was sick. Way to go and ruin a honeymoon, the one time she wanted to be perfect in every way and she was on the floor leaning over into the water throwing up. Thank you plane food, she thought trying not to show her complete annoyance.

At the mention of a hospital or ambulance she shook her head and in doing so she ended up leaning over the water again as another wave of sickness hit. “Babe, no.... just something I ate.” She said wishing the world would be still as she felt worse than she had done minutes ago. She watched him try to call an emergency number and she thought she had victory until he scooped her up in his arms. Had she not felt as sick as she did then she might have fought him with more effort than a repeated no.

With the mask on top of her head she tried to smile yet all she wanted to do was cry. She had ruined their honeymoon, she was really cursed. It had to be her fault, maybe it was all her fault because they seemed to have the luck of the worst football team. Gabby knew what she should be doing and what she needed but along with doctors paramedics made the worst patients. “Babe, don’t over react.” She said trying to be firm with him but she felt awful, too awful for it to sound more than a suggestion.

Gabby tried to glare at him when he handed her the bottle of water though she took it anyway glad that he had opened the cap. She leaned into his chest as she felt tired and worn out, yet another symptom of plane travel. Time zones and food messing with her, it was simple yet why was he doing this when she just needed a minute to get back to normal. Gabby barely had energy to lift the bottle to her lips though once she took a drink of the water she soon fastened the cap back on it tightly. Her stomach felt like it was doing flips as she shook her hand.

“Matt, I’m sorry.” She said as she could feel herself start to lightly shake and a few tears were not to far behind. She felt awful, her stomach was uncooperative she wanted to drink something and in doing so it felt like she would just throw up again. “I’m sorry I ruined the first day, it’s just food poisoning... jet lag and plane food.” She explained and in her own head the entire thing was explained by the plane trip they had taken. Food poisoning explained her symptoms, tiredness was jet lag it all made sense and Matt being Matt was overreacting to the entire thing. “Let’s just go back to the hotel and you can explore a little and I’ll catch up?” She suggested thinking that was a great idea.

Tag: @matt

[Deleted]

we've lost it all my heart is beating im gonna pass the test Gabriela Dawson Matt understood the whole being sick thing. It wasn't like he was going to judge her timing for being sick. Brushing some hair from her face he kissed her forehead. It was also his way of checking her temperature. She didn't seem like she had a fever at least. That made him not worry as much, but Gabby was sick that meant he was going to try his best to make sure she was feeling alright. "Sweetheart, you could scare casper with that face" he teased lightly. The least he could do was make her smile. Matt just fixed her with a look when she mentioned him over reacting. "You wouldn't be saying that if this was the other way around." He reminded her. "You are going to go to the Clinic Gabriela and there will be no argument about it." He stated as he buckled her into the back seat. All he could do was to hold her against him. He heard her starting to say she was sorry and he could see the tears she was trying to hide. It was written on her face. "Sweetheart." He said gently kissing the top of her head. "We will go back to the hotel after the clinic. And I will stay with you. We will go out tomorrow." He omitted the part where he was thinking after you have had some rest. Notes , other cool stuff

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Gabriela Dawson]

If he had decided not to judge then she would do it for both of them, her timing sucked. She tried to smile and act as if life was as normal as normal was though the minute he kissed her forehead she knew what he was checking. “I told you I’m fine.” She said trying to convince him of that, she just needed a minute to put herself together. Perhaps she was sea sick because there was lots of water around, it was that or the plane yes it explained it all away. Gabby glared at Matt when she spoke of scaring Casper.

She tried to keep it up but her glare soon turned to a smile and then a laugh. “Casper loves my face, does my face scare you?” She asked raising her brow as she stuck her tongue out at him. The minute she did she knew it had been a mistake as she leaned over again trying to keep whatever dignity she had left though it was going about as badly as it could go. He over reacted if she had a cold she thought though she gave him a sarcastic look when he mentioned it being the other way around.

“I would be, there’s a word for it. Man flu.” She tried to tease him though she knew when he buckled her into the back seat that there were no arguments about it. “Try me. I argue for a living.” She said trying to be firm but she felt too ill to be firm about much other than going to sleep. Great, she was on her honeymoon and she was sleeping for all the wrong reasons. The story to go home with, ‘hey I got sick and was too tired to do much’. Fantastic she thought as she rested against him.

“No baby, don’t.” She said not wanting to have ruined his holiday as well, “You deserve this as much as anyone, go do something fun I’ll catch up I promise. Some vitamin C and I’ll be good as new.” She almost pleaded not wanting to ruin everything though a trip to the clinic, it was hardly on the top ten Venice destinations for honeymoon. Gabby tried to curl up next to him, she felt awful and much like a child and a blanket for her Matt was her feel good factor. She could feel her eyes closing slightly though the nauseous feeling still lingered with every movement of the car.

@matt,

[Deleted]

we've lost it all my heart is beating im gonna pass the test Gabriela Dawson Matt hummed to himself a little his wife was stubborn but so was he when he needed to be. "Gabby. We are not taking any chances." He was firm but not uncaring as he ran a hand through her hair. "Hey beautiful" he whispered as he did so. Purposefully meeting her eyes. Yes he could be sweet at the same time as he was forcing her to go to the hospital. Matt reached over and licked her tongue. "Put that back in your mouth." He taunted trying to make her feel better. Even if it was just to get a smile out of her. Then she was saying something about man flu. Somehow that word had been tossed around the fire house more than he cared to hear. Her protests though fell on deaf ears all the way to the hospital. She could yabber all she wanted, he was staying. Once they were there and they started pushing fluids into Gabby's system he got as close as they would let him. Matt got a cool rag from the sink and came over putting it overtop her forehead. "Don't you dare argue with me Mrs. Casey, I am staying right here." He pointed out with a small smile. He played with a strand of her hair. Notes , other cool stuff

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Gabriela Dawson]

Chances, they always took chances and he always took chances she thought hearing his firm tone as she relaxed under his touch. “Fine fine, I’m not taking long though.” She said knowing that she would be out of any hospital as fast as she could. They hardly held the greatest memories for her and frankly she wanted to get on with their honeymoon if it was possible now since she had gone and ruined the start of it. Gabby tried to glare at him when he spoke but how could she be mad at him when he was being sweet? “Hey handsome.” She replied with a slight smile even if she hardly agreed with going to the hospital.

"You're too sweet for your own good." She stated as she chuckled when he licked her tongue, “It’s back, don’t you worry.” She said smiling as she chuckled feeling a little better even if it was just laughing. “But not for long.” She said as she stuck her tongue out again for a moment as the conversation turned to man flu. It was used around the house about every other week when the guy’s complained about colds or sniffles, anyone of them might have swapped places with her then because all she wanted was just to go curl up in a corner somewhere and sleep.

Once they were there Gabby watched as the pushed fluids into her, yes she did that too many a person over the years as she watched to make sure they were doing it correctly. Gabby sighed feeling the cool rag on her forehead; it felt nice she could hardly deny that though she did her best to smile at him as he played with her hair. “I’d like you to stay.” She admitted, she was hardly going to go and beg him but in a hospital she never wanted to be on her own at all. “So how does a Venice hospital stack up against a Chicago one?” She asked him trying her best to be funny but she felt too awful to be hilarious.

“Ten bucks they say it’s a virus?” She said trying to smile as she held out her hand, it was the go to thing or she actually did have flu but honestly why then? Unless someone seriously wanted to ruin a happy holiday, one where they were married and loved each other then no virus it was because if anyone at the house had poisoned her or given her a bug they would feel her wrath when she got back to Chicago.

@matt,

[Deleted]

we've lost it all my heart is beating im gonna pass the test Gabriela Dawson Matt could only smile a little at the small victory in getting her to at least go to the hospital. “That's my girl” He played with her hair a little to keep her distracted. Not that he found it hard as they got to the hospital. When she stuck her tongue back out he waved off the gurney. He knew all too well that Gabby would rather walk herself into the hospital. He thought about carrying her but that would go over as well as a lead balloon. Once they were there and Gabby was being stringent, Matt shook his head. "Do you really think I am going anywhere?" He pointed out giving her a look. Cue her asking about the hospital. "I wouldn't know? I haven't seen how terrible their coffee is yet." He pointed out with a sarcastic smile plastered all over his face. "I mean if you want some coffee, I could go make that trip and you could help me figure it out?" Okay so he wasn't actually going to leave her here for a coffee but anything Gabby wanted, Gabby got. Matt remembered this demeanor from before, but he wasn't about to bring up the subject as he knew it was still sour with her. There was no need to upset her. "We will see what the doctor says" He replied as he brushed her hair from her face and sat beside her. Notes , other cool stuff

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Gabriela Dawson]

There was no way she would ever let him get a gurney for her, she had legs and she would walk until she was unable to. Right now walking was the only act of defiance that she had and yes she would raise hell about it if she needed to. Luckily though Matt knew better and she was relieved to see the gurney waved off, mostly so she could forgo the argument that would likely ensue given she had no intention of not walking anywhere while she could do. Even Matt carrying her would be a bad idea and she knew she would make it difficult for him to do so, a fireman he was and she knew how to work against the lifts they were trained to do.

Fixing him with her best ‘you should’ look Gabby tried her best not to snap at him. “Yes you should go and enjoy the holiday Matt, I’m not dead you know.” She pointed out as she smiled sweetly toward his look that he gave her. She wanted him to stay but her mouth had other ideas, Gabby was hardly used to showing that she needed anyone but Matt, he was different. He had seen her when her snark and attitude had gone and right now all she could hope for was that he stayed with her.

Gabby chuckled hearing about the coffee, “Well I guess that’s the taste test to do.” She said grinning seeing his sarcastic smile plastered all over his face as she swatted his arm lightly. “Coffee.” She said thinking about it though the minute she did her stomach felt as if it might do another flip. She shuddered lightly as she shook her head, “Not feeling that adventurous maybe later though unless you want one? I can get you one and then you can tell me if it’s any good. Like my own personal coffee tester?” She said smirking, Gabby knew that whatever Matt wanted she would get for him even if he was unsure he wanted it in the first place.

Gabby could remember the pickles on the bar, the everything that came after that. The happiness and then the loss, there had never been a moment where she had considered a child other than Louie and the thought that this could be, no not again no it had to be flu. She had never wanted flu so badly before but even the thought that it could be, no the doctors would tell her it was a virus and that would be it because she could hardly bare to go through all of that again.

Did she even bring that up with him, she had been there to see how it had affected him. Could she even bring herself to put him through all of that again? The uncertainty, the fear, she was shaking simply thinking of that and how would he react. The last time they had broken up, taken a break whatever it was but now they were married did that mean divorce? She was scared to death of what it meant if they came back with anything other than virus.

“Yeah, well see what virus they say it is... flu, cold, recycled air on a plane lots and lots of bugs.” She stated suddenly feeling terrified for even being in the hospital. “Better yet we should go Matt, don’t want to waste a doctor’s time you know.” Gabby said wanting to get out of there as quickly as possible just in case they came back with anything other than flu. Gabby had never been one to be scared but the thought of a second go, she could feel her hands starting to shake with the pure terror of that thought.

@matt ,

[Deleted]

we've lost it all my heart is beating im gonna pass the test Gabriela Dawson Matt didn’t pick up Gabby, but he did stick beside her. There was no way in hell that he was going to let her on her own to trip and fall. He wasn’t going to leave her and when she fixed him with a look to go he just rolled his eyes. “First off, I’m here to spend time with you. Second, I am not leaving you here; what kind of husband would I be to do something like that?” The nurses were in and out, followed by doctors. Gabby was released and Matt’s head was still spinning. Well, that hadn’t exactly gone to plan; but at least she wasn’t sick. As they waited on a cab, Matt played with some of Gabriela’s hair. “So much for your plan theory.” Nope she just had him to blame for this whole mess. Matt pulled Gabby close to him. He wasn’t sure if she wanted to go back to the hotel and just sleep or if she wanted to go enjoy the sights. Matt rubbed along her back. “Want to tell me what I can do to help?” He offered. It was only fair seeing as this was technically half his fault. Well probably more than half but that wasn’t the point right now. He knew things hadn’t exactly been what either one of them were ready to hear. Kissing the top of her forehead he smiled at her. Matt was scared, but not willing to admit to it. After the miscarriage and Louie, he wasn’t sure he was ready to jump headfirst into things again. That didn’t mean in any way was he going to back away from things; but Matt liked to hide things until they boiled. If he wasn’t careful this might turn into an explosion of everything. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t want to wrap Gabby up in bubble wrap to protect her. Notes , other cool stuff

credit to nat of adoxography.

[Gabriela Dawson]

Gabby was trying to be practical, it was her way there was no point in ruining a holiday for two people when it was just her who was sick. That much made perfect sense to her, he could go and enjoy it and she could take whatever she needed to get over this bug. “Husband, yeah I forgot that part already.” She said smiling; it still felt strange to her to even think he was her husband though she knew she would never tire of hearing it. “But you’d be a sensible one; you can still enjoy it even if I’m a bit off today. Then I can tell Herrmann that you left me and you’ll never here the end of it.” She added with slight smirk.

The smirk however was gone the minute she heard, the nurses and doctors were a blur and then she was released just like that. Released back into the world to do what exactly with the news she had? Gabby had to stop herself from going back into the place and demanding to see a real doctor that would tell her it was a bug. Waiting on the cab Gabby felt numb to everything, she felt Matt playing with her hair and when he spoke about her theory she fought the urge to push him away. “Yeah, I guess it’s not the plane.” She muttered not sure what she was thinking.

Gabby could barely wrap her arms around him when he pulled her close, she had no idea what to do now or what was the appropriate response to the news. She felt him rub along her back as she could feel the tears streaming down her face as she buried her face into his chest for a moment. What was there to do to help? She had no idea what she wanted anymore and it certainly had been a shock to hear but what could she do. Gabby simply looked up at him seeing him smile after he kissed the top of her forehead. “Help... I think you’ve ‘helped’ enough don’t you?” She said though as soon as she had she realised how it sounded.

She hardly meant to snap at him but she had no idea what to even do let alone what would help. Rule one, she was never sleeping with him again she thought for a moment as that was what had gotten her to the miscarriage and now another possibility of a baby or not but a second miscarriage. Gabby knew she would never cope with that, she knew it had blown everything up the first time and time out and the split and then Louie and now this. Where was the simple in life anymore?

Gabby pushed Matt away for a moment as she fiddled with the rings on her finger that she had earlier stared at with such aw. Now they felt like a lead weight given what happened last time. With one hand she wiped away the tears as stared at Matt trying to keep it together. “I... if you want to end it just tell me, I won’t fight a divorce and I can move fire house so you stay at 51. It’s not your fault. I just... it’s...” She said trying to be her usual straight at the issue self though this time she was trying to prevent and make easier what she in her head thought might be coming.

“I know I couldn’t do this last time and then Louie, I can’t put you through that again Matt so I understand if you want to go.” She explained giving him the out as she expected him to run, not that her heart was telling her that but the practical ‘it happened before’ head part of things that was probably far too mixed up in herself to be having the conversation in the first place. Easier to pull the bandage off now than when it was ultimately more difficult.

(Given their history on it, I figured she might go to pieces over it, just to add to his hiding things and having to deal with this too. Hope you do not mind.)
@matt,